The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS International) governs the Visa Screen certifications for healthcare professionals looking to work in the United States. If you are a medical technologist, it is important to understand CGFNS’s stance on specialists in medical technology fields. We explain the VisaScreen requirements for related professions here.
What CGFNS Says About Specialists
CGFNS states that specialists in medical technology fields, such as cytotechnologists, are not subject to the Visa Screen requirement. This exemption was also corroborated by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). When questioned, USCIS confirmed that they “agree that a Visa Screen® cannot be issued in this instance. Medical technologist specialties fall outside the regulations requiring VisaScreen®.”
Implications for Medical Technologist Specialties
This particular aspect has significant implications for immigration pathways and employment possibilities for foreign healthcare workers who are specialists in medical technology fields. Being exempt from Visa Screen requirements could mean a potentially expedited immigration process and fewer bureaucratic hurdles. However, this does not necessarily translate to an automatic approval of immigration status, as other immigration laws and policies still apply.
What Are These Specialties?
The memo lists several specialist categories in the medical technology field likely to be exempt from the Visa Screen requirements. These include:
- Cytotechnologist (CT)
- Histotechnician (HT)
- Histotechnologist (HTL)
- Technologist in Blood Banking (BB)
- Technologist in Chemistry (C)
- Technologist in Cytogenetics (CG)
- Technologist in Hematology (H)
- Technologist in Microbiology (M)
- Technologist in Molecular Biology (MB)
Caution and Next Steps
While CGFNS and USCIS align with this exemption, you must still consider other immigration rules and employer requirements. This exemption only removes one layer of the certification process; it does not address other regulatory aspects like licensing, which varies from state to state and by occupation.
Conclusion
Understanding CGFNS’s stance on Visa Screen certification for medical technology specialists is essential for foreign healthcare professionals and immigration lawyers. While this exemption could streamline the immigration process for these specialists, it’s critical to approach it within the larger context of U.S. immigration laws and professional licensure requirements.
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We Can Help!
You may have questions regarding a CGFNS VisaScreen. We invite you to contact our team at Richards and Jurusik for detailed guidance and assistance. We aim to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information to make your immigration process smoother and less stressful. The immigration lawyers at Richards and Jurusik have decades of experience helping people to work and live in the United States. Please read some of our hundreds of 5-star client reviews! Contact us today to assess your legal situation.
